Graduating into a competitive new world
The graduation season is fast approaching. For 16 years as president at Sir Sandford Fleming, I had the privilege to briefly speak to the graduating students during their convocation ceremonies, which are all about celebrating students’ achievements.
In planning my words, I always wanted to provide inspiration and insight into how the world was unfolding. So I asked myself recently: “What would I say today?”
First of all, in 1988 the graduates would have been predominantly male, while today we know that more than 60 per cent of those attending college are female. Back then the faculty and administration were also predominantly male, while the support staff were mainly female. This was not just true of Fleming, but of the entire college system.
Today, a third of college presidents are female. Two-thirds of the vice-presidents academic and deans are female. When you look beyond the college system, you see female role models as heads of automobile companies and other major industries. And while the number of female elected politicians has not substantially increased, we have several female premiers and very strong female cabinet members. NAFTA negotiations, too, are being led by Minister Chrystia Freeland.
So for our female graduates, there are real examples of what to aspire to do and leadership possibilities to consider. Women entrepreneurs are leading the way in many of the small business enterprises, where most entry level jobs are being created.
But the world has not just changed in terms of leadership and job opportunities. It has shifted in how we are expected to treat one another. The #METOO movement has impacted social norms. Women will now speak out and men will pay consequences for misconduct. The conviction of Bill Cosby is a statement that juries will believe women. And those brave women who came forward have broken a barrier of silence and fear. The message to all should not just be that misogynist behaviour will be reprimanded, but also that everyone will be held to an appropriately higher standard.
To the male graduates, I would say these are pretty good times, given that the economy - while slow - is generating new jobs. Employment is up and unemployment down. Women and men will be competing on a more equal playing field, and so any of your fellow graduates - male or female could be your boss tomorrow. While sex is appropriate in a consensual relationship, it should never ever again be used in an abusive or exploitative manner anywhere in our society, including the workplace.
By bringing forward Equal Pay for Equal Work Legislation, Ontario has made significant strides forward. Yes, this legislation has placed a short term burden on small businesses and others who have been underpaying women.
But in the long term, it is a clear attempt to offset a two decade trend that has not only seen a greater disparity between the working class and upper tier, but has also underpaid women in the workforce. The new norm should be that duties, competencies, and each individual’s effort and personal investment--and not gender alone--should determine salary.. And with so many women graduating from college and university, the workplaces will change even further. Beware young men that it is a new day, and the old boys’ club is disintegrating.
I am personally coaching five CEOs in education and health care, two of which are women and they bring outstanding leadership and perspective. In addition, I coach 40 people at the second level of these organizations, a third of which are women. They still face considerable challenges in the attitudes of their supervisors. But they will be the leaders shortly. It is about time our society utilized all the competencies of our citizens. Now of course we also need to ensure that leadership also reflects the faces and cultural sensitivities of Ontarians and Canadians. We still have a ways to go.
Another trend that today’s graduates will face is the aging Baby Boomer generation. As this older generation leaves the workforce, the resulting shortage will create opportunities for those who pick the right field, are adaptive and motivated to move up.
But the workforce is changing - gone are the days when people stayed in one job or company, or even industry, for decades. Young professionals will have to be adaptive and continually adding to their skill set if they want to compete. This will certainly include learning to dance with the robots who really do not care what gender you are.
So my message to graduates would be that it is an exciting time to graduate. There are opportunities for all of you. Our society needs your contributions. It is a competitive world, but if you work hard and learn to collaboratively work with others, it will be a better one.